Greer, Berea players chosen for Shrine Bowl

Greer's Qua White, left, chosen as a defensive back, was among the 44 players selected to play in the 81st Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas.(Photo: EDDIE BURCH)

Bradly Thompson walked into the office of Greer football coach Will Young and received congratulations Sunday, although he didn't know the reason.

When the 6-foot-5, 300-pound offensive lineman was informed he had been chosen for the Shrine Bowl, he was stunned.

"Coming into high school, I always talked about it, heard about it, but I never thought it was going to be a thing," Thompson said. "But now that it's here, my mind's blown. I can't believe it."

Thompson, teammate Qua White, chosen as a defensive back, and Berea defensive lineman Adam Henderson were among those chosen to play in the 81st Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas high school football all-star game.

The rosters were announced Sunday for this year's game, scheduled for 2 p.m. Dec. 16 at Gibbs Stadium on the campus of Wofford College in Spartanburg.

They were among the 44 players named to the South Carolina roster, which will be led by Dorman coach Dave Gutshall. Among the others were Daniel linebacker Jake Venables, T.L. Hanna defensive back Braylon Peterson and Westside kicker-punter Chance Poore.

The versatile White, who has committed to Georgia State University, has been a standout in the secondary, at wide receiver, at running back and on special teams for the Jackets, averaging 115.7 all-purpose yards per game.

"Me and my dad have been wanting this for a long time now," White said. "I used to go to the Shrine Bowl all the time, so I always wanted to be in it. It's just a great thing to be known as one of the top players in South Carolina."

"He's one of the top athletes in the state," said Young, "so we'd have been a little surprised if he didn't make it, but you just never know."

Thompson is a member of a Greer line that has enabled the Yellow Jackets, 6-1 and ranked seventh in Class AAAA, to average 417 yards per game.

"Bradly's having a great year for us," said Young. "He's definitely one of the leaders of our offensive front, so we're really pleased by that."

"It feels amazing," Thompson said. "I couldn't have done it without my coaches, but it's an achievement, it really is."

Henderson, a 6-4, 242-pound defensive tackle, has been a leader for Berea after an all-region season as a junior.

Venables, son of Clemson University defensive coordinator Brent Venables, has committed to play for the Tigers. Through seven games, Jake Venables has 23 solo tackles, 21 assists and team-highs of 13 tackles for loss and five sacks.